China, which is in the process of getting back to business after being hit first with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in early January, has made changes to entry requirements that are in effect March 28, 2020.
China is banning entry from foreigners who hold valid visas and residence permits, and those who travel APEC Business Travel Cards. The various visa-free policies for short stays are all suspending.
You can access the announcement here.
Note that this entry ban is not applicable for visas that are issued after this announcement by the China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Here’s the announcement from the Chinese government:
And in text format:
In view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement, effective from 0 a.m., 28 march 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well. Policies including port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries will also be temporarily suspended. Entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates. Entry by foreign nationals with visas issued after this announcement will not be affected.
The suspension is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries. China will stay in close touch with all sides and properly handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world under the special circumstances. The above-mentioned measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly.
Conclusion
Most of the recent new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in China are by nationals that are returning to the country. Now that the pandemic is rapidly expanding outside, China tries to prevent it from having a second wave immediately.
This change affects mostly foreign nationals that work in China but exited the country during the peak of pandemic (which now appears to be over).
